More Support Services For Survivors Of Child Sexual Abuse
A $45 million funding injection from the Australian Government will ensure more support services are available to survivors of child sexual abuse who take part in the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs Jenny Macklin and Minister for Community Services Julie Collins today announced 28 organisations that will deliver a range of community-based support services across Australia.
“The Australian Government understands the importance of ensuring that survivors of child sexual abuse and affected family members are supported to participate in the Royal Commission,” Ms Macklin said.
“It is vital there is support available to them before, during and after their engagement with the Commission.”
Ms Collins said the announcement follows an open selection process by the Australian Government.
“The organisations chosen have considerable experience and expertise and will ensure people have flexibility and choice in the types of support they can access,” Ms Collins said.
“For many people, talking about their experiences will be very traumatic and we want to ensure a broad range of specialist support services are readily available to them.”
“This will include trauma-informed counselling as well as support, information and advice about what to expect from the process of engaging with the Royal Commission.
“This Government is committed to doing everything it can to make sure that what happened to children in the past is never allowed to happen again.”
The Labor Government has already committed $62.4 million for legal support mechanisms for the financial years 2013-14 to 2015-16, in addition to the specialist support services.
The Royal Commission, led by Justice Peter McClellan AM, is inquiring into how institutions with a responsibility for children have managed and responded to allegations and instances of child sexual abuse and related matters.
The Commission is investigating where systems have failed to protect children, and will make recommendations on how to improve laws, policies and practices to prevent and better respond to child sexual abuse in institutions.
Further information about Royal Commission support services is available at www.fahcsia.gov.au, or by emailing rcsupportservices@fahcsia.gov.au.
| Location | Organisation | Funding amount until 2015-16 |
|---|---|---|
|
National |
Adults Surviving Child Abuse |
$1,850,000 |
|
National |
Australian Childhood Trauma Group |
$900,000 |
|
National |
Bravehearts Pty Ltd |
$5,100,000 |
|
National |
Care Leavers Australia Network |
$1,200,000 |
|
National |
Child Migrants Trust |
$600,000 |
|
National |
Child Wise |
$1,100,000 |
|
National |
Lighthouse Foundation – Training |
$900,000 |
|
National |
Mental Health Professionals Network |
$60,000 |
|
National |
NSW Rape Crisis Centre |
$2,900,000 |
|
National |
On the Line Australia Inc |
$600,000 |
|
ACT |
Canberra Rape Crisis Centre |
$1,050,000 |
|
NSW |
Interrelate Family Centres |
$1,800,000 |
|
NSW |
Relationships Australia NSW |
$2,600,000 |
|
NSW |
The Womens Cottage |
$330,000 |
|
NT |
Relationships Australia NT |
$ 650,000 |
|
QLD |
Anglicare SE Queensland |
$715,000 |
|
QLD |
Centre Against Sexual Violence |
$345,000 |
|
QLD |
Micah Projects Inc |
$1,500,000 |
|
QLD |
Relationships Australia QLD |
$2,100,000 |
|
SA |
Relationships Australia South Australia Health Promotion Services |
$1,600,000 |
|
SA |
Victim Support Service Incorporated |
$1,050,000 |
|
TAS |
Relationships Australia Tasmania |
$750,000 |
|
TAS |
Sexual Assault Support Service Inc. (Tasmanian federation) |
$1,200,000 |
|
VIC |
Berry Street Victoria |
$600,000 |
|
VIC |
Drummond St Services Inc |
$1,600,000 |
|
VIC |
Relationships Australia VIC |
$1,100,000 |
|
WA |
Anglicare WA Incorporated |
$900,000 |
|
WA |
Relationships Australia WA |
$2,600,000 |